ENG-2000 — Page 218

EDUCATION

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trade test guidelines, and overseeing the operation of training centres and trade testing.

In June, the Administration and the VTC concluded a Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements (MAA). This memorandum provides a more clearly defined framework for the relationship between the Administration and the VTC and sets out in detail the responsibilities of each party. The memorandum also stipulates the new funding arrangements for the VTC in the form of a lump sum subvention. The council is also allowed to retain unspent funds in its reserves. This new mode of subvention gives it greater flexibility and the necessary resources to respond promptly to rapidly changing service needs.

Hong Kong Examinations Authority

The Hong Kong Examinations Authority (HKEA) is an independent and self- funding statutory body, with members drawn from the teaching profession, tertiary institutions and the business community. Its main function is to operate two local public examinations: the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. (HKCEE) and the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE). It also conducts examinations for overseas examining professional bodies and other local organisations.

During the year, 132 824 candidates sat for the HKCEE and 34 669 sat for the HKALE. The percentage of awards at grade E or above for day school candidates in A-level subjects was 74.9 compared with 74.4 in 1999. The percentage at grade E or above for day school candidates in the HKCEE was 69.4, a big improvement from 67.5 in 1999. The percentages of grade awards at grade E or above for school candidates in the subjects of HKCEE Chinese Language and English Language (Syllabus B) were 66.1 and 64.6 respectively (64.8 and 61.5 in 1999).

Following a review commissioned by the HKEA on the public examination system, a number of changes will be implemented in stages in the HKALE and HKCEE in the coming years. With effect from 2002, fine grades will be abolished and the results of HKCEE and HKALE will be reported in six grades only. The Teacher Assessment Scheme (TAS) will be extended to more HKALE subjects starting from the 2001-02 school year. The core-competence approach will be adopted gradually for HKCEE large-entry subjects, starting with English Language in 2004. The system of allowing Secondary 6 students to sit for the HKALE will be further studied after consultation with school councils. The HKEA will also examine the Education Commission's recommendations for reforming the public examination system.

Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation

Established by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation (HKCAA) Ordinance in 1990, the HKCAA is an independent statutory body with 20 members appointed by the Chief Executive, comprising senior academics from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas countries, as well as local industrialists and professionals. It is supported by a secretariat of full-time staff, plus more than 1 000 local and overseas experts who act as honorary consultants to the council.

One of the its major roles is to review the non-university degree-awarding institutions of Hong Kong and validate individual programmes of those institutions which have not yet acquired self-accreditation status to ensure that the degrees offered meet internationally recognised standards. In 2000, programme validations